Maiduguri residents flee homes after ammunition depot fire triggers explosions, red flares across city.
Residents of Maiduguri were thrown into panic early Thursday when deafening explosions and red flares lit up the sky near Giwa Barracks, sparking fears of a Boko Haram attack. The blasts forced locals in Polo, Fori, GRA, and University of Maiduguri areas onto the streets before dawn, with many bracing for insurgent violence. However, Borno State Police later confirmed the incident was caused by a fire in the barracks’ ammunition facility, stating: “The fire incident affected some munitions to detonate, resulting in loud bangs.”
Authorities attributed the blaze to “unusually high ambient temperatures” in the region, with ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso assuring the public: “The situation is now fully under control.” A joint security and fire-service team swiftly contained the incident, preventing further damage. The police urged calm amid lingering tensions in the region long plagued by insurgent activity.
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